Today I’m excited to welcome author N.R. Rhodes to Becky on Books to talk about her brand new book, Deep Rising. She’s also giving away a $25 Amazon gift card during the tour–see the Rafflecopter below to win!
Deep Rising
N.R. Rhodes
Smart. Sexy. Suspense.
First, about the book:
In his nine-year stint with the CIA, Jared Caldwell thought he’d seen it all. But when his latest mission instructs him to apprehend a beautiful scientist who’s allegedly linked to a devastating new form of warfare, he isn’t prepared for the prospect of battling man-made tsunamis—or the misplaced feelings he harbors for his number one suspect.
The irony of being accused of crimes her research was intended to prevent isn’t lost on Svetlana Orskya. She also didn’t expect her wish for a strong, sexy man to sweep in and change her life to come true—especially not when he appears, gun in hand, pointed at her.
But time is running out and Jared and Lana must work together to protect the mainland. As the heat between them—and the threat of mass destruction—rises there is more at stake than just their hearts.
Welcome, N.R. Rhodes! I’m thrilled you’re here today!
Tell us more about your book—beyond the official “book blurb”.
DEEP RISING introduces an elite team of special operatives in a sector of the government that bridges the military and CIA. They combat domestic and international issues. The stakes are high and passions run hot.
Tell us more about who Jared and Svetlana are as characters.
Jared is a CIA operative. He specializes in explosives and intelligence. Svetlana “Lana” is a volcanologist. She studies volcanoes and other seismic events. They are thrown together when Lana’s research becomes a blueprint for a series of attacks. The attraction is instantaneous, but Jared isn’t about to let a little chemistry distract him from the fact that Lana is the lead suspect.
Of course not! 🙂
How scientifically realistic is the concept of using manmade tsunamis in warfare? How did you come up with the idea?
The idea came from teaching marine science. Tsunamis are—sadly—a fairly common event. They are triggered by earthquakes and landslides and other seismic activity, such as an erupting volcano. I looked at the areas of the world prone to seismic activity and/or tsunamis. The Cascadia Subduction Zone off the coast of Oregon and Washington state, is one area that could cause problems. Alaska’s Prince William Sound suffered a terrible earthquake back in 1964 and that caused a tsunami.
Naturally occurring disasters aren’t common, but they can happen. So I took those vulnerable areas and considered the effect that man could have on an already unstable locale.
Yikes! Scary….
What do you have planned for your Outside the Lines series? Will we see Jared and Svetlana in future books? I love to see favorite characters returning for a visit.
Oh yes. And we’ll see other heroes/heroines thrown into some extraordinary circumstances.
Excellent!
What prompted you to make the leap from high school science teacher to the publishing industry? I’m always fascinated by former teachers who go on to be published authors.
I wrote DEEP RISING (and several other books) while on my lunch breaks and over the summers. I was laid off a few years ago and that prompted the ‘career’ change.
Their loss–our gain!
What was the catalyst that then made you decide to become an author?
I don’t know if anyone chooses to be an author. I think one simply is. I think the only thing that prevents a person from writing is fear. If you have an idea, if there is a story in your mind or characters whose voices you cannot silence (no this isn’t a psychological issue J) you just have to take that leap of faith and sit down at a computer and type.
I think you’re absolutely right about that. It IS scary to put yourself out there like that. So, how long have you been writing?
My third grade teacher who was forced to read my ridiculous stories of intergalactic travel, would probably say I got my start back then. And *cringes* I won’t even begin to do the math.
Um, no. We don’t do that kind of math here. No fears 🙂
What are you reading right now?
Tess Oliver’s FREEFALL
Can you share one of your favorite scenes from the book with us?
Some of my favorite scenes are spoilers, but if I had to pick one that really resonates with me, it is a hospital scene. Lana takes a bullet aimed for CIA operative Jared Hawthorne. He’s at her bedside, reflecting on how he had to keep her at a distance, how he wanted to trust her so badly but couldn’t, because he couldn’t afford to weaken toward her in any way. The scene is riddled with guilt and poignancy, and the kind of emotions that run so deep, you want to bottle them up, and gulp ‘em down.
Awesome! We’ve got another (non-spoiler) scene below too–keep reading!
Thank you so much for your time, N.R.!
Thank you sooo much for hosting me!
🙂 Our pleasure!
And now, an excerpt from the book:
“I want to stop Sergei as much as you do—more so because it seems I’ve enabled him.”
A hand caught her arm. In the next instant she was spun around and pressed against the door. His palms slapped against the doorframe, caging her in place. Jared towered over her and she wasn’t a small woman.
“What do you mean ‘enabled him’?”
Oh, no, did he think she consciously helped her brother? “I didn’t intentionally enable anyone, Jared. I never intended for my research to be misused.” She stared into his sharp, beautiful hazel eyes and tried to make him believe in her innocence.
For several heartbeats, neither moved, then his hands slowly moved from the door to her shoulders and finally up to her throat, where either hand pressed against the arteries on her neck. He stayed there presumably counting her pulse, and while she spoke the truth, she knew her body betrayed her. His muscled shoulders dwarfed her. The crisp shirt he wore molded to the muscles of his biceps and chest. He was strong and powerful and dangerous. Without thinking, she licked her lips.
He made some low, rumbling sound. The hands at her throat threaded through her hair, lifting her face to his.
His body pressed against hers. Through the bathing suit, her breasts tightened almost painfully at the contact of his muscled chest. She was a heartbeat away from rising on her toes and pressing her mouth to his.
“No,” he muttered. For a moment, he leaned even closer, his lips grazing her temple. His sharp intake of breath echoed hers. When he drew back, he drew her away from the door.
“Let’s go.” He led her out of the hotel room. More disconcerted than she cared to admit, Lana followed in his wake.
Giveaway
N.R. Rhodes is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card at the end of her tour.
Author Bio
N. R. Rhodes has worn many hats. She has accumulated degrees in biology, psychology and behavioral neuroscience. A Mensa member and former high school science teacher, she made her way into publishing in a roundabout way and was named Agent of the Year in 2012. It took her a while to figure out what she wanted to do when she “grew up.” But books are the perfect fit. As a literary agent, she makes authors dreams come true–and, with Deep Rising, she decided to indulge in one of her own.
Dividing her time between New Jersey and Florida, she and her incredibly supportive husband enjoy traveling, family and friends. Her stepson Christian is one of her greatest joys.
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